Prediction: Fiorentina vs Roma

Verdict: Roma win

Best Odds: 7/5

Bookmaker: Bet365

Looking to widen their buffer in the top-four, a high-flying Roma will make the trip to a downbeat Stadio Artemio Franchi on Friday night.

Fiorentina

Starting with the hosts, while Fiorentina may have managed to snatch a dramatic late point against league leaders Inter Milan last weekend, La Viola have struggled to match a similar level that they opened the campaign with. Despite just managing to avoid a shock relegation last season and appearing to make a string of improvements earlier in the year, the Purples have failed to win any of their last six Serie A matches on the bounce, a run that stems back to the 30th of October. With Head Coach Vincenzo Montella watching his side also lose four of their last five contests, a huge part of Fiorentina’s continued issues nearing closer to Chrismas has been their recent struggles at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. Despite snatching a 1-1 draw off of Inter last weekend, Friday’s hosts have failed to win any of their last four matches on home soil, a run highlighted by a 1-0 loss against Leece last month.

Team News

Ahead of Roma’s arrival on Friday, Head Coach Vincenzo Montella has a growing list of injury absentees. With talisman Frank Ribery still sidelined, Fiorentina will once again be without Bryan Dabo, Cyril Théréau, Valentin Eysseric, Jacob Rasmussen, and Aleksa Terzić.

Roma

As for the visitors, battling from behind to put in another clinical display and land a 3-1 win over SPAL on home soil last weekend, Roma have continued to enjoy quite the run of form. Booking their spot in the knockout stage of this year’s Europa League with time to spare, I Giallorossi are enjoying a six-match unbeaten run across all competitions and have Head Coach Paulo Fonseca will be most impressed by his side’s form in the final third. Bagging a trio of strikes in four of their last six appearances, one man to keep an eye out for on Friday could be Argentina international, Diego Perotti. Bagging three goals in his last four matches both domestically and while on European duties, Roma should be confident of extending on their eye-catching recent run away from the Stadio Olimpico. Remarkably, Fonseca’s men have lost just one of their last 13 Serie A matches on the road.

Team News

Both Chris Smalling and winger Justin Kluivert are in doubt over their availability for Friday’s trip due to respective injury isues.

Roma will also still be unable to call upon Davide Zappacosta and Javier Pastore.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met back in April, Roma and Fiorentina played out a 2-2 draw.
• Fiorentina have lost four of their last five Serie A matchups and have failed to win any of their last six contests.
• The Purples have also failed to win any of their last four matches on home soil.
• Roma have scored three goals in four of their last six contests.
• Friday’s guests have also lost just one of their last 13 Serie A matches on the road.

Conclusion

While Fiorentina may have managed to snatch a point off of Inter Milan over the weekend, the Purples have continued on a worrying run of form and have shown some glaring issues on home soil. Losing four of their last five and freefalling out of the top half of the Serie A standings, a high-flying Roma should be confident of extending their winning run on Friday night. With a growing reputation for their form on the road and losing just one of their last 13 domestic matches away from the Stadio Olimpico, we’re backing Paulo Fonseca’s men to come out on top on their travels.

Verdict: Roma win

Best Odds: 7/5

Bookmaker: Bet365